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A groundbreaking study led by researchers at Harvard University has unveiled a new tapeworm-inspired technology designed to revolutionize medical devices. By mimicking the parasite’s ability to attach itself to tissues, this innovation offers a minimally invasive and reversible anchoring mechanism for ingestible medical devices.
The research, conducted by an interdisciplinary team from Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and the Wyss Institute, addresses a long-standing challenge in biomedical device design: securely attaching small devices to soft tissues. Published in PNAS Nexus, the study demonstrates how biologically inspired mechanisms can be applied to medicine.
A Parasitic Model with Purpose
“Parasitic species are incredibly well adapted to anchoring into a range of tissues, using structures that are both complex and efficient,” said James Weaver of the Wyss Institute. “These features make them ideal models for developing synthetic tissue-anchoring mechanisms.”
The team’s approach replicates the hook-like attachment organ of intestinal tapeworms. Using a layered fabrication method inspired by printed circuit board manufacturing, researchers created a device less than 5 millimeters in diameter, capable of attaching securely to tissue with minimal damage.
A New Fabrication Frontier
The device employs a simple yet innovative design. Composed of rigid stainless steel components and polymer hinges, the structure transforms from a flat form to a functional three-dimensional anchor using a “pop-up” assembly process. This method allows for rapid, low-waste prototyping.
When activated, the device’s hooks deploy in less than one millisecond, following a curved trajectory similar to tapeworm hooks. This reduces tissue damage while ensuring a firm grip. “The rapid turnaround and scalability of this manufacturing approach make it highly adaptable for future iterations,” said Gabriel Maquignaz, the study’s lead author and a visiting graduate student at the Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne.
Broad Implications for Medicine and Beyond
While the primary focus of the research is biomedical applications, such as drug delivery and diagnostics, the team sees potential in non-medical fields. Applications could include wildlife monitoring through adhesive tags and sensors for flexible materials.
“This research provides a vital experimental testbed for exploring how parasitic anatomy influences tissue pathology, opening doors to new insights in medical parasitology,” said Armand Kuris, a parasitology professor at UC Santa Barbara, who was not involved in the study.
Future Directions
With its success in mimicking tapeworm attachment mechanisms, the team plans to explore other parasitic body designs and expand their device’s applications. “We’re eager to broaden the design space to include other biological tissues and therapeutic uses,” said Rachel Zoll, a doctoral candidate at SEAS.
As this technology advances, its potential to transform medical and non-medical applications underscores the ingenuity of nature-inspired design.
For more information:
Gabriel Maquignaz et al., Design and fabrication of a parasite-inspired, millimeter-scale tissue anchoring mechanism, PNAS Nexus (2024). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae495
